3 April 2009
The Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) is an annual event organised by
the African Mathematical Union. The objective is to encourage talent and
exchange information on curricula and teaching methods in mathematics across
the African continent. Participation is by invitation only and the official
languages are French and English. Each country is entitled to send a team
consisting of a team leader that is a mathematics teacher at a secondary or
tertiary level, and four pupils younger than 20 years old.
South Africa, through the Department of Science and Technology (DST), will
host the 19th Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO), at the Pure Joy Guest
Lodge, Kameeldrift, Pretoria from 19 to 26 April 2009.
The department endorses this Olympiad and believes that it will create an
enabling environment that will provide opportunities for creative thinking for
mathematically inclined minds in the technological environment.
Thirteen countries including Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Kenya, Benin,
Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Algeria, Uganda, Mali, Mozambique, the Ivory Coast and South
Africa will participate in this event.
South Africa has been participating in the Olympiad for several years and
came top in 2007 and 2008. This year South Africa entered two teams. The
official team consists of Arlton Gilbert (Star College), Dessi Nikolov (Eunice
High School), Greg Jackson (Diocesan College) and Hlanganani Shibambo
(Wordsworth High School). In the unofficial team are Sean Wentzel (Westerford
High School), Kira Düsterwald (Springfield Convent), Charl du Plessis
(Stellenberg High School), Ashraf Moolla (Rondebosch Boys' High School) and
Rofhiwa Mauda (Mbilwi Secondary School).
At the conclusion of the Olympiad, South Africa will award gold, silver and
bronze medals as well as medals for the top three countries.
The country will furthermore provide certificates of participation to all
candidates including Honourable Mention and special prizes.
The Department of Science and Technology and the South African Mathematics
Foundation wish all participants well and trust that they will receive a truly
South African welcome!
For more information, visit http://www.samf.ac.za/pamo2009
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
3 April 2009
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za/)
